New food waste disposal regulations – update for restaurants and caterers

20 Dec 2024

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New food waste disposal regulations made under the Environment Act 2021 are due to come into force this year, requiring restaurants and other businesses in England to segregate food waste, so that it can be recycled rather than go to landfill. When food waste goes to landfill it releases methane which contributes to global warming.

The hospitality industry currently wastes more than a million tonnes of food each year which costs around £3.2 billion, which is an average of £10,000 per site.

When is this to be implemented?

The new food waste regulations stem from the Environment Act 2021 and come into force in England on 31st March 2025. Similar regulations came into force in Wales on 6^th April 2024.

What are the new food waste measures and are there any exemptions?

Under the new measures, businesses are required to segregate food waste into dedicated bins for collection. The only exemptions in England are for businesses with less than 10 full time equivalent employees. In Wales, the are exemptions if the food waste volume is less than 5 kg per day and/or you have a rural exemption.

How can food waste be recycled and what challenges might be faced?

Food waste must be recycling by the business or waste collector by composting or anaerobic digestion. Sending food waste to landfill or incineration alongside general waste will be prohibited, as is the use of macerators or liquidising digesters.

Businesses may need additional bins, extra waste collection slots, new waste collectors, and additional time for their workforce to manage food waste.

How can businesses reduce food waste and associated costs?

Consideration should be given to:

avoiding overbuying
producing smaller batches
switching to fewer short-life products
ensuring strict temperature control
following ‘first-in first-out stock rotation
adjusting portion sizes
minimizing complimentary items
finding ways to use by-products

These organisations have committed to the Food Waste Reduction Roadmap and the Target, Measure, Act principles. Find out how you can join them and help save the planet whilst saving yourself money.

Keep an eye out for updates as we closely observe the advancements in the food waste regulations, delivering the most recent insights and strategies to help you navigate through this evolution in waste management. Please contact us to find out more.

Any guidance given in our articles is not official and Safer Food Scores can take no responsibility if the information is used to form part of any legal or regulatory compliance for your business. However, please do get in touch if you are interested in our support services and would like to benefit from official guidance relating to your particular circumstances, email [javascript protected email address]

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